Derek Wilson is a corporate partner and Chair of the Firm’s Corporate Department. Mr. Wilson serves as primary outside counsel to a large number of emerging growth and mature companies, both public and private. Such representations often commence at the initial formation stage and continue through ultimate sale or merger.
Mr. Wilson has particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliance and joint venture transactions, equity and convertible debt financings, executive compensation arrangements, technology licensing, and product development and distributorship arrangements. He has completed more than 400 M&A transactions.
Mr. Wilson counsels numerous technology, healthcare, life science and other growth companies, large and small, in connection with all aspects of their corporate, corporate finance, governance, licensing and other transactional needs.
A significant aspect of Mr. Wilson’s practice involves cross-border transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions. He has particular experience representing Japanese companies in their strategic alliances, often involving complex structuring, technology licensing, product development and commercialization arrangements.
Mr. Wilson is resident in Tokyo currently and licensed to practice law in Japan as a Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi. In addition to his corporate practice, Mr. Wilson teaches an M&A course at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of Law, Business Law Department.
Representative clients include Biocartis, Dolby Ventures, Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Penumbra, Inc., R360 Environmental Solutions, Restoration Hardware, Simpson Manufacturing, Sleep Train, Sysmex Corporation, Waste Connections, and Wild Planet Foods.
Mr. Wilson formerly was a partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP.